In my final preparations towards Brighton Marathon I entered the Welwyn Half Marathon based at Gosling Sports Park, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.
The race conditions were perfect for the race that was partially on an offroad path. The route for the race is a gently undulating mixture of a residential setting and a rural taking in the villages of Hertingfordbury, Birch Green and Cole Green plus a 4 mile section along the traffic free Cole Green Way pathway. The race started and finished on Gosling Running Track.
The objective of the race was to get some quick training miles before the marathon and maybe add a few miles at the end. However, as the race got underway after 3 miles I realised that I had an opportunity for a podium place. As the race developed I got into an easy pace and managed to break away from the group of runners viaing for 3rd position. Towards the 7 mile I was joined by another runner(Antonio Maraia) and we ran together until mile 10. Then the pace began to get quicker as we raced for the podium pace. I decided to wait and follow and see what he had to offer and with 2 miles to go I decided to push for home. With an incline towards the end of the race I used this to put in a hard effort and as we got to a mile to go I was again on my own. I kept the pace in the last mile and ended with a slight sprint towards the end to end in a time of 1:20:09.
This was my first run as a fairlands valley spartan and the third place was an added bonus.